The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
By Julius Businge
Uganda has been elected to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council or ITU Region D (Africa) for 2014-2018, according to a statement issued by the Uganda Communications Commission on Sept.27. The elections took place during the 19th Plenipotentiary Conference in Busan, Korea. Uganda was last elected to Council and served for the period 2002 -2006. ITU is the specialised UN agency on Telecommunication/ICT.
It coordinates global radio communication services, telecommunication standards, and telecommunications development. The ITU 48 Member Council is the governing body elected every four years from the 193 member states divided into five regions. At least 2,000 delegates are participating in the 2014 Plenipotentiary Conference from the 193 ITU Member States, led by ministers and also leaders from ICT Industry and observer organisations.
In the hotly contested elections, Uganda came 5th out of 17 countries from Africa (Region D) who competed for 13 seats. Commenting on Uganda’s victory, Nasasira said: “The overwhelming support Uganda received from the 165 member countries that voted was as a result of our campaign efforts, active participation in ITU activities and Uganda’s impressive ICT sector policies that have led to the vibrant growth of the sector.”
Uganda lost the seat in 2006 and 2010 elections. Houlin Zhoa of China was elected the new Secretary General and Malcom Johnson of the United Kingdom as the Deputy Secretary General. President Paul Kagame of Rwanda is expected to address the conference tomorrow October 28.
